Salesforce (CRM) Options Signal Bullish Setup: 270 Call OI Surges as AI-Driven Growth Fuels 2026 Outlook

• CRM trades at $262.29, down 0.89% intraday, but call open interest (OI) dominates with a 1.42x put/call ratio imbalance.
• Top OTM calls at $270 and $272.5 (this Friday’s expiry) show heavy positioning, while puts at $250 hint at cautious downside hedging.
• Recent news on AI expansion and a Golden Cross setup align with options data, pointing to a potential $326.68 price target by 2026.

Here’s the thing: Salesforce’s options market isn’t just whispering—it’s shouting. Call open interest has surged past puts by a 1.42x margin, and the top OTM calls at $270 and $272.5 are brimming with positioning for this Friday’s expiry. Combine that with a technical setup that screams "buy the dip," and you’ve got a stock primed for a breakout. Let’s break it down.

Bullish OI at $270, Cautious Puts at $250: What’s the Play?

Options traders are clearly leaning bullish. For this Friday’s expiry, the $270 call (CRM20251226C270) has 1,871 open contracts—the highest of any strike. That’s not just noise; it’s a vote of confidence that CRM could punch through its 30D/200D resistance around $258 and test $270 by year-end. The next Friday expiry amplifies this, with $270 and $275 calls seeing even heavier OI (2,381 and 711 contracts, respectively).

But here’s the catch: Puts aren’t ignored. The $250 put (CRM20251226P250) has 2,123 open contracts, suggesting some hedging against a potential pullback. That makes sense—RSI is already in overbought territory (78.87), and Bollinger Bands show the stock is trading near the upper band. A sharp correction isn’t out of the question if the $250 support (lower band) fails.

News Flow: AI Expansion and Golden Cross Fuel the Fire

Salesforce isn’t just a numbers game. The recent partnership with Garuda Aerospace to deploy Agentforce AI tools is a real-world catalyst. This isn’t abstract tech hype—it’s a tangible expansion into agriculture and defense markets, which could juice revenue growth. Pair that with a Golden Cross setup (30D EMA crossing above 150D/150W EMA), and you’ve got a technical and fundamental tailwind.

Analysts aren’t shy either. A 23.48% upside to $326.68 is on the table, driven by AI-driven Agentforce adoption and FY2026 guidance. The stock’s rebound from a Double Bottom at $225 (confirmed by the Bollinger Lower Band) adds to the narrative. This isn’t just a short-term pop—it’s a structural shift in momentum.

Actionable Trades: Calls for Breakouts, Puts for Safety

For options traders, the CRM20251226C270 and CRM20260102C275 strikes are prime candidates. If you’re bullish, buying the $270 call this Friday (entry near $262) gives you a 3.5% buffer to reach the strike. For longer-term positioning, the $275 call next week offers more time for the AI-driven rally to materialize.

On the stock side, consider entry near $257.56 (30D support) if the price holds. A breakout above $264.24 (intraday high) could target $270 first, then $277.26 (Bollinger Upper Band). If you’re bearish, the $250 put (CRM20251226P250) offers downside protection, but only if CRM cracks below $254.31 (200D support).

Volatility on the Horizon: Ride the AI Wave or Hedge the Dip?

Salesforce is at a crossroads. The options market is pricing in a bullish breakout, and the fundamentals are lining up. But with RSI near 79, a pullback isn’t out of the question. The key is to balance aggression with caution: play the AI-driven rally but keep an eye on the $250 support. If that holds, the stock could retest $270 by year-end. If it breaks, the puts at $250 will light up—and so will the headlines.